Methods for performing yoga, physical exercise or other athletic activities, and apparel for use in such activities

ABSTRACT

Methods for performing an exercise, such as yoga, physical exercise or other athletic activities, include perceiving an inspirational message immediately before performing the exercise. The inspirational message may also be viewed at least once during and/or after the exercise. Perception of the inspirational message may be personal to the individual, and may be associated with clothing worn by the individual as the individual performs the exercise. In some embodiments, an inspirational message may be carried on the inner surface of a front of a garment configured to be worn on an individual&#39;s upper body. In such an embodiment, an individual may perceive the inspirational message while putting on the garment and taking off the garment. In some embodiments, the individual may also perceive the inspirational message before putting on the garment, while performing the exercise and/or after taking off the garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

A claim for the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/597,837, filed on Feb. 13, 2012 and titled METHODS FOR PERFORMING YOGA, PHYSICAL EXERCISE OR OTHER ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES, AND APPAREL FOR USE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES (“the '837 Provisional Application”). The entire disclosure of the '837 Provisional Application is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to methods for performing yoga, physical exercise or other athletic activities. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods in which an individual views an inspirational or motivational message immediately before, during and/or immediately after performing yoga, physical exercise or an athletic activity. Athletic garments, or athletic apparel, that bear inspirational or motivational messages at locations that are personal to an individual who wears the athletic apparel are also disclosed.

SUMMARY

Techniques and apparatuses for providing individuals with inspirational messages, motivational messages or other messages of a personal nature are disclosed. For the sake simplicity, these and other types of messages that may be delivered to an individual are collectively referred to as “inspirational messages.” An inspirational message may comprise a visual message. Such a message may be provided in the form of text, a design, an image or any combination of the foregoing. Alternatively, or in addition, an inspirational message may be delivered to another of an individual's physical senses (i.e., sound, scent, flavor, touch/texture). The inspirational message may correspond to an activity to be performed by the individual; for example, to inspire or motivate the individual to achieve a particular goal during or by way of the activity. In various embodiments, a garment may bear an inspirational message that corresponds to an individual goal that may be associated with an exercise, such as yoga, physical exercise or another athletic activity.

Inspirational messages may be delivered on apparel, or a garment, at a location that is typically viewed or otherwise perceived only by the individual wearing the garment. One such location is on an interior portion of the front of a garment that is configured to be worn over the individual's upper body. When positioned at such a location, an inspirational message may be viewed or otherwise perceived by the individual while the individual is putting the garment on and while the individual is removing the garment. Some garments may also be designed to enable perception (e.g., viewing, etc.) of the inspirational message before the garment is worn, while the garment is worn and/or after the garment has been removed from the individual's body. In some embodiments, a garment that bears an inspirational message may be configured for use during yoga, physical exercise or another athletic activity.

In a technique for delivering an inspirational message to an individual, and in a method in which an individual receives an inspirational message, the individual obtains a garment carrying the inspirational message. The inspirational message may be carried at a location that enables the individual to keep it personal (e.g., on an inside surface of the garment, etc.). The individual may view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message immediately before performing an exercise. In some embodiments, the inspirational message may be seen or otherwise perceived as the garment is laid out on a surface just before the individual places the garment on her upper body. The individual may also view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message while she places the garment on her upper body. With the garment on her upper body, the individual may perform the exercise. In some embodiments, she may also view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message at least once while performing the exercise. Once the exercise is complete, the individual may review or perceive the inspirational message; for example, as she removes the garment from her upper body and/or after the garment has been removed from her upper body.

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a garment that bears an inspirational message; and

FIG. 2 is a back view of the garment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a garment 10 that bears an inspirational message 20. The garment 10, including its design and the fabric from which it is made, may be configured, or tailored, for use during a specific type of activity, or exercise. Without limitation, a garment 10 may be configured for an athletic activity, for physical exercise or, as in the depicted embodiment, for yoga. Such a garment 10 may comprise a so-called “moisture wicking” fabric, which pulls perspiration from a wearer's skin and transmits the perspiration to an exterior of the fabric (e.g., a polyester blend, such as that marketed by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. as COOLMAX, etc., by Nike, Inc., as DRI-FIT, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 10 is configured to be worn on an individual's upper body (i.e., over an upper part of the individual's torso). Thus, the garment 10 may comprise a top, such as the depicted tank top, a shirt, or any other type of apparel that is configured to be worn over an individual's upper body. In some embodiments, such as that shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment 10 may be configured as a so-called “pullover;” i.e., it may be pulled over the individual's head to place it over the individual's upper body and to remove it from the individual's upper body. Alternatively, a garment that incorporates teachings of this disclosure may be configured to be worn on or over another portion of an individual's body (which may include the individual's torso, as well as her head and/or one or more appendages).

The garment 10 includes an outer surface 12 and an opposite inner surface 14. The inner surface 14 of the garment 10 is configured to face the individual's body, and may be placed against the individual's body, as the individual wears the garment 10. The outer surface 12 is configured to face away from the individual as the individual wears the garment 10, and may be seen or otherwise perceived while the individual wears the garment 10.

In addition, the garment 10 may include a front 16 and a back 18. The front 16 of the garment 10 may be configured to be placed over the front of the individual when the garment 10 is properly oriented over the individual's body. In embodiments where the garment 10 comprises a top, such as that depicted by FIGS. 1 and 2, the front 16 of the garment may be configured to be positioned over the individual's chest and/or abdomen (i.e., tummy). The back 18 of the depicted embodiment of garment 10, which is opposite from its front 16, may be configured to be placed over the individual's back.

The location of an inspirational message 20 on a garment 10 may depend, at least in part, upon the type of garment 10 with which the inspirational message 20 is used. In the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the inspirational message 20 may be located on the inner surface 14 of the front 16 of the garment 10. Thus, the location of the inspirational message 20 may enable the individual to view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message 20 as she puts the garment 10 on and/or takes the garment off. Locating the inspirational message 20 in this manner may also place the inspirational message 20 over an individual's chest when the individual wears the garment 10.

The inspirational message 20 may comprise a visually identifiable element, such as text (e.g., in the form of a word, phrase, verse, quote or other statement), a design, a graphic symbol, an image, or the like, or any combination of visually identifiable elements. In other embodiments, in combination with or apart from a visually identifiable element, the inspirational message 20 may be recognized by one or more of the individual's other physical senses (e.g., sound, smell, taste, touch). In some embodiments, the inspirational message 20 may be personal to, and thus customized for, a particular individual.

The inspirational message 20 on a garment 10 may correspond to the same activity for which the garment is tailored. By way of non-limiting example, a garment 10 that is configured for use in yoga may bear an inspirational message 20 associated with the individual's efforts to achieve a particular goal (e.g., become one with the Supreme Being, etc.). Examples of inspirational messages 20 that may correspond to yoga include, but are certainly not limited to:

Our deepest wishes are whispers of our authentic selves. We must learn to respect them. We must learn to listen —Sarah Ban Breathnach There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you. —Maya Angelou It's not your job to like me, it's mine. —Byron Katie

In other embodiments, the inspirational message 20 may be tailored for another activity, such as long distance running, a certain health or physical goal, a sports goal, or the like.

In some embodiments, such as that depicted by FIG. 2, the back 18 of a garment 10 may be configured to enable an individual to perceive (see or otherwise sense) a portion of the inner surface 14 of the front 16 of the garment 10 and, thus, any inspirational message 20 on that portion of the inner surface 12 when the garment 10 is placed in a flat position (e.g., hung from a hangar, spread front 16-down over a surface, etc.). In addition to the illustrated T-back, other configurations of backs 18 may also enable perception of the inspirational message 20 when the garment 10 is in a flat position.

In a technique for delivering an inspirational message 20 to an individual, and for an individual's receipt of an inspirational message 20, the individual obtains a garment 10 carrying the inspirational message 20. The inspirational message 20 may be carried at a location that enables the individual to keep it personal (e.g., on an inner surface 14 of the garment 10, etc.). The individual may view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message 20 immediately before performing an exercise. In some embodiments, the inspirational message 20 may be seen or otherwise perceived as the garment 10 is laid out on a surface just before the individual places the garment 10 on her upper body. The individual may also view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message 20 while she places the garment 10 on her upper body. With the garment 10 on her upper body, the individual may perform the exercise with the inspirational message in her thoughts. In some embodiments, she may also view or otherwise perceive the inspirational message at least once while performing the exercise. For example, she may pull the front 16 of the garment 10 away from her body, revealing the inspirational message 20 on the inner surface 14. Once the exercise is complete, the individual may review or perceive the inspirational message 20; for example, as she removes the garment 10 from her upper body and/or after the garment 10 has been removed from her upper body.

In a specific embodiment, the inspirational message 20 may be delivered to the individual and/or received by the individual in connection with the individual's performance of yoga. Yoga has gained widespread acceptance and popularity as a technique for improving both physical fitness and mental well-being. Yoga originates from a Hindu philosophy that liberation from the material world and an individual's union with the Supreme Being (or some other ultimate principle) may be attained through a prescribed course of physical disciplines in combination with certain mental disciplines. The physical disciplines of various types of Yoga typically include a series of postures and breathing exercises that are designed to enable an individual to achieve control over her body and mind, enabling the individual to enter into a state of tranquility. It is in this state of tranquility that the individual may become centered, or become one with her ultimate principle. In such an embodiment, the inspirational message 20 may help the individual reach the state of tranquility, to remind the individual of the ultimate principle with which she seeks to become one, or to otherwise remind the individual of her goals.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, other embodiments may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the appended claims. The scope of each claim is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the its plain language and the legal equivalents to the recited elements. All additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the meanings and scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A yoga method, comprising: obtaining a garment to be worn over an upper body of a torso of an individual while practicing yoga; viewing an inspirational message on an interior surface of a front of the garment immediately before performing yoga; placing the garment on the upper body; and performing yoga with the garment on the upper body and the inspirational message positioned next to the upper body.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein viewing the inspirational message comprises viewing the inspirational message immediately before placing the garment on the upper body.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein viewing the inspirational message comprises viewing the inspirational message while placing the garment on the upper body.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: reviewing the inspirational message at least once while wearing the garment and performing yoga.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: removing the garment after performing yoga; and again reviewing the inspirational message.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein again reviewing the inspirational message comprises reviewing the inspirational message while removing the garment.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein again reviewing the inspirational message comprises reviewing the inspirational message after removing the garment.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removing the garment after performing yoga; and again reviewing the inspirational message.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein again reviewing the inspirational message comprises reviewing the inspirational message while removing the garment.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein again reviewing the inspirational message comprises reviewing the inspirational message after removing the garment.
 11. A yoga garment configured to be worn over an upper body of a torso of an individual, the yoga garment comprising: an inner surface configured to be face an upper body of a torso of an individual when the yoga garment is worn over the upper body; an outer surface opposite from the inner surface and configured to face away from the upper body when the yoga garment is worn over the upper body; a front configured to be positioned over a front of the upper body when the yoga garment is worn over the upper body; an indicia carried by the inner surface at the front of the yoga garment, the indicia: visible when viewing the inner surface of the front of the garment, but not visible when viewing the outer surface of the front of the garment; and comprising an inspirational message; and a back configured to be positioned over a back of the upper body when the yoga garment is worn over the upper body, the back configured to expose: the inner surface of the front of the yoga garment when the garment is in a flat position; and the inspirational message so that at least a portion of the inspirational message is visible from the back of the yoga garment while the yoga garment is in the flat position.
 12. An athletic or exercise garment, comprising: a garment configured to be worn over an upper body of a torso of an individual, the garment including: a front configured to be positioned over a front of the upper body when the garment is worn over the upper body; a back configured to be positioned over a back of the upper body when the garment is worn over the upper body; an inner surface configured to be face the upper body when the garment is worn over the upper body; and an outer surface opposite from the inner surface and configured to face away from the upper body when the garment is worn over the upper body; an indicia carried by the front of the garment, at the inner surface, the indicia: visible when viewing the inner surface of the front of the garment, but not visible when viewing the outer surface of the front of the garment; and comprising a personal or inspirational message.
 13. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 12, wherein the personal or inspirational message comprises text.
 14. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 12, wherein the personal or inspirational message corresponds to an activity for which the garment is configured.
 15. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 14, wherein the personal or inspirational message corresponds to yoga.
 16. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 15, wherein the personal or inspirational message is customized for the individual.
 17. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 12, wherein the back of the garment is configured to enable viewing of the indicia when the garment is not worn.
 18. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 17, wherein the back of the garment is configured to enable viewing of the indicia while the garment is in a flat position.
 19. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 17, wherein the back of the garment is configured to enable the individual to view the indicia before placing the garment over the upper body and after removing the garment from the upper body.
 20. The athletic or exercise garment of claim 12, wherein the garment comprises a moisture wicking fabric. 